Al-Qaida urges Muslims to give support to Hamas

But Palestinian group is reluctant to unite with them

Associated Press

Published 5:30 am, Tuesday, June 26, 2007

RAMALLAH, WEST BANK — Al-Qaida's deputy leader called on Muslims worldwide to back Hamas with weapons, money and attacks on American and Israeli interests, urging the Palestinian militant group on Monday to unite with al-Qaida after its takeover of Gaza.

The Internet audio message from Ayman al-Zawahri, an Egyptian who is Osama bin Laden's top deputy, marked a major shift by al-Qaida, which in the past criticized Hamas for joining a government with the U.S.-supported Fatah faction.

The audiotape appeared aimed at exploiting Hamas' gains and could fuel fears among Arab countries that Hamas-run Gaza will become a breeding ground for armed extremists.

But Hamas appeared uncomfortable with Zawahri's approach. The Palestinian group has been cool in the past to attempts to link it with al-Qaida, saying its conflict is with Israel and that it has no plans to attack targets abroad. Also, Hamas does not want to alienate powerful Arab countries such as Egypt.

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri, a hard-liner, distanced his group from the al-Qaida deputy's comments but stopped short of criticizing them.

The audiotape was clearly made after Hamas' takeover of Gaza earlier this month, marking a rapid response from al-Qaida's top leadership to the events.

Its authenticity could not be independently confirmed, but it was posted on a Web forum where Zawahri has issued messages in the past.

Zawahri urged the Palestinian group to implement Islamic law in Gaza, telling it, "Taking over power is not a goal but a means to implement God's word on earth."

The 25-minute tape, Zawahri's seventh released this year, was posted on the same day Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was hosting a summit in the Red Sea resort town of Sharm el-Sheik as a show of support for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah.